Four years ago, Shaina's life changed forever.   Her husband, Yaakov—beloved, successful, devoted, admired—took his own life. In this raw and deeply moving conversation, Shaina speaks openly about what it's like to live through a tragedy that many are forced to hide, but she was never given the option to silence. She shares the painful reality of loving someone who was suffering invisibly, the strength it took to keep moving forward, and the unexpected blessing of authenticity in the aftermath. This episode goes beyond grief. It confronts the stigma around mental illness in the Jewish community, the cost of suffering in silence, and the courage it takes to talk when no one else will. Shaina challenges how we view suicide—not as weakness, but as a battle fought daily—and why telling the truth may be the only way to prevent the next tragedy. This is not an easy listen. But it is a necessary one.   For help and mental health resources please visit https://behindthefaces.org    This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors:   ► PZ Deals - Download the app and never pay full price again!     https://app.pz.deals/install/mpp      ► Colel Chabad Pushka App - The easiest way to give Tzedaka   https://pushkapp.cc/meaningful     ►Rothenberg Law Firm   Personal Injury Law Firm For 50+ years!   Reach out Today for Free Case Evaluation   https://shorturl.at/JFKHH           ► Town Appliance - Visit the website or message them on WhatsApp     https://www.townappliance.com     https://bit.ly/Townappliance whatsapp      ► Dream Raffle Win a brand new and fully furnished $1,200,000 apartment in Yerushalayim!    Use Promo code MPP for $10 off and to receive double tickets!   https://thedreamraffle.com/        ► Pesach with Bordeaux      🌟 Pesach with Bordeaux 2026 is proudly partnered with Meaningful Minute to bring you amazing,inspiring and uplifting spiritual content this year!  🌟 Join us in Stamford, Connecticut for another spectacular, star-studded year ✨🍷 This year—experience true *relaxation*, where every detail is taken care of. 😌🌸 Rooms are filling quickly — don't wait!   📞 Call/Text: 347-699-6120 🌐 www.pesachwithbordeaux.com 💬 Chat with us on WhatsApp!  https://wa.me/13476996120

In this powerful episode, David Lichtenstein opens up about wealth, success, failure, and what truly gives life meaning. From business setbacks and rebuilding, to philanthropy, community responsibility, and personal resilience, this conversation challenges how we define success and where our real value comes from. It's an honest look at money, pressure, ego, and purpose, through a deeply Jewish lens grounded in lived experience.   The discussion goes far beyond finances, touching on tzedakah, leadership, cancel culture, failure, healing from trauma, Israel, and the responsibility to speak about uncomfortable but necessary topics. This is a raw, thoughtful conversation about courage, clarity, and living with conviction, even when it's unpopular.     This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors:     ► Colel Chabad Pushka App    The easiest way to give Tzedaka   https://pushkapp.cc/meaningful   ► Torah Umesorah     Torah Umesorah equips teachers and schools to help every child thrive, support this work and help strengthen Jewish education by donating today.   https://content.jcn.io/MeaningfulMinuteTU   ► 7th Heaven Chocolate   high-quality, dairy-free chocolate that's ethically sourced and seriously good.   use code MPPfree for free shipping https://www.7thheavenchocolate.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoryFUtu BwTX2aYLCwtf8ykSbfR4dcurwUZAS8p C2ftD7WyjNN   ► 7th Heaven Chocolate   high-quality, dairy-free chocolate that's ethically sourced and seriously good.   use code MPPfree for free shipping https://www.7thheavenchocolate.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoryFUtu BwTX2aYLCwtf8ykSbfR4dcurwUZAS8p C2ftD7WyjNN   ►Rothenberg Law Firm   Personal Injury Law Firm For 50+ years! Reach out Today for Free Case Evaluation   https://shorturl.at/JFKHH   ► Town Appliance    Visit the website or message them on WhatsApp   https://www.townappliance.com https://bit.ly/Townappliance whatsapp    ► Dream Raffle   Win a brand new and fully furnished $1,200,000 apartment in Yerushalayim!    Use Promo code MPP for $10 off and to receive double tickets! https://thedreamraffle.com/    ► Pesach with Bordeaux   🌟 Pesach with Bordeaux 2026 is proudly partnered with Meaningful Minute to bring you amazing,inspiring and uplifting spiritual content this year!  🌟 Join us in Stamford, Connecticut for another spectacular, star-studded year ✨🍷 This year, experience true relaxation, where every detail is taken care of. 😌🌸 Rooms are filling quickly, don't wait!   📞 Call/Text: 347-699-6120 🌐 www.pesachwithbordeaux.com 💬 Chat with us on WhatsApp!  https://wa.me/13476996120       Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 2:32 Early life and background 3:47 "My father was wealthy without money" 4:57 Wealth as a shallow metric of success 6:52 Community, comparison, and status 8:35 The sequoia trees and interlocking roots 10:06 Tablecloths, envy, and social pressure 11:50 Maaser and "show me the data" 13:13 Who the real community heroes are 14:14 Are rabbeim underpaid? 16:09 Giving tzedakah responsibly 17:32 Giving with your body vs your wallet 18:43 The burning palace and human responsibility 21:26 Applause, self-worth, and identity 23:05 The "levaya rule" and ignoring pressure 26:52 Pressure on major donors 29:30 Speaking about abuse, suicide, and taboo topics 34:01 Cancel culture in the frum world 40:17 Media, Zionism, and controversial conversations 47:38 Losing everything and rebuilding through Torah 51:47 Turning failure into fuel 56:55 Teshuva, forgiveness, and accountability 1:00:26 Israel, yeshiva world, and survival 1:07:40 Rav Gustman story and defending life

In this powerful and emotional conversation, Jewish music icon Yaakov Shwekey opens up about the evolution of Jewish music, the responsibility of an artist, and the deeply personal moments that shaped his life and career. From unforgettable camp memories and behind-the-scenes studio stories to the creation of his upcoming massive Shabbos project, Shwekey reflects on legacy, inspiration, and the transformative power of music. He shares raw stories about loss, fatherhood, kindness, and how music can lift broken hearts—from hospital rooms in Israel to Shabbos tables around the world. Music producer Donny Gross joins to give a rare inside look at the creative process behind their most ambitious project yet: a multi-hour Shabbos experience meant to reconnect families to song, tradition, and joy. If you love Jewish music, appreciate authenticity, or just need a dose of inspiration—this episode is for you.   This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors:   ► PZ Deals - Download the app and never pay full price again! https://app.pz.deals/install/mpp   ►Blooms Kosher   Bring you the best Kosher products worldwide.   https://bloomskosher.com     ►Banana Blast Rentals   Bringing exciting entertainment for all your occasions. https://bananablasts.com https://wa.link/i4qlgh   ► The Kichel Collection It's here just in time for Chanukah🥳 The Kichel Collection 5! Available at your favorite Judaica store  or get it here! 👇 Feldheim(20% off Chanukah Sale!): https://feldheim.com/the-kichel-collection-5   Amazon: https://a.co/d/7gGIVoJ   ► Colel Chabad Pushka App - The easiest way to give Tzedaka   https://pushkapp.cc/meaningful     ► Lalechet     We're a team of kosher travel experts, here to carry you off to your dream destination swiftly, safely, and seamlessly in an experience you will forever cherish.    https://www.lalechet.com   ►Rothenberg Law Firm   Personal Injury Law Firm For 50+ years!   Reach out Today for Free Case Evaluation   https://shorturl.at/JFKHH   ► Town Appliance - Visit the website or message them on WhatsApp     https://www.townappliance.com     https://bit.ly/Townappliance whatsapp    ►  ReKindle   This film presents the powerful, deeply personal accounts of two survivors of the Café Rimon double suicide bombing in Jerusalem. This documentary is a tribute to the lives lost, the resilience of those who survived, and the enduring human capacity to rebuild—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Through Nochi Krohn's and Ovadia Waxler's story, viewers witness the lasting impact of terror and the extraordinary strength required to keep choosing life, day after day. Exclusively available via Meaningful Minute Plus: https://plus.meaningfulminute.org/programs/rekindle-black-firday-teaser-website-fd8c10

What goes through a person's mind when they're told—before even stepping into the courtroom—that they've been sentenced to 27 years in prison? In this raw and deeply moving conversation, Shalom Mordechai Rubashkin takes us inside the moments that changed his life forever: hearing the sentence, choosing emunah over despair, surviving years behind bars, and ultimately witnessing a miracle no one expected. This is not just a story about prison or justice—it's a masterclass in faith under fire, resilience in the face of total powerlessness, and what it truly means to trust Hashem when there is no visible way out. From the courtroom to solitary confinement, from despair to unexpected freedom, Rubashkin shares how emunah transformed punishment into purpose—and why the greatest freedom begins long before the prison doors open. A story of darkness, light, and the strength to keep believing when everything says not to.   This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors:   ► PZ Deals - Download the app and never pay full price again! https://app.pz.deals/install/mpp   ►Blooms Kosher   Bring you the best Kosher products worldwide.   https://bloomskosher.com   ► Colel Chabad Pushka App - The easiest way to give Tzedaka   https://pushkapp.cc/meaningful     ► Lalechet     We're a team of kosher travel experts, here to carry you off to your dream destination swiftly, safely, and seamlessly in an experience you will forever cherish.    https://www.lalechet.com   ►Rothenberg Law Firm   Personal Injury Law Firm For 50+ years!   Reach out Today for Free Case Evaluation   https://shorturl.at/JFKHH   ► Town Appliance - Visit the website or message them on WhatsApp     https://www.townappliance.com     https://bit.ly/Townappliance whatsapp  ► Dream Raffle Win a brand new and fully furnished $1,200,000 apartment in Yerushalayim!    Use Promo code MPP for $10 off and to receive double tickets!   https://thedreamraffle.com/  ► Pesach with Bordeaux 🌟 Pesach with Bordeaux 2026 is proudly partnered with Meaningful Minute to bring you amazing,inspiring and uplifting spiritual content this year!  🌟 Join us in Stamford, Connecticut for another spectacular, star-studded year ✨🍷 This year—experience true *relaxation*, where every detail is taken care of. 😌🌸 Rooms are filling quickly — don't wait! 📞 Call/Text: 347-699-6120 🌐 www.pesachwithbordeaux.com 💬 Chat with us on WhatsApp!  https://wa.me/13476996120  

A Chanukah celebration at Bondi Beach turned into a scene of terror.   In this episode of the Meaningful People Podcast, we sit with a father and community leader who survived the Bondi Beach terror attack. His children were nearby. What he first thought were fireworks quickly became gunshots. Within moments, people were running, hiding, and falling.   He shares, in real time, what it was like to be there: – realizing the danger – hiding with his daughter – searching desperately for his son – trying to help the wounded while protecting his child   This conversation was recorded shortly after the attack, while the pain was still raw. It is honest, emotional, and unfiltered.   We also speak about what came next. Lighting the menorah that night. Explaining fear to children. Holding onto faith and responsibility when everything feels shaken.   This episode is not about headlines or politics. It's about survival, parenthood, community, and choosing light in the aftermath of terror.   Our hearts are with all those affected by this attack, including the family of Rabbi Elie Schlinger, a beloved husband, father, and community leader who was killed. A link to support the Schlinger family is included below, as mentioned in the episode.   If this story resonates, please consider sharing it.   Support the Schlinger family: https://www.charidy.com/elischlanger/613Help?utm source=15mp

GET MEANINGFUL MINUTE PLUS RIGHT NOW FOR 50% OFF! mmplus.org In this eye-opening conversation, Nachi Gordon sits down with Zvi Gluck, founder of Amudim, for one of the most important and raw episodes we've ever released. From drug use and gambling in our schools, to secrets hidden behind closed doors, to real stories of crisis, denial, healing, and hope — Zvi pulls back the curtain on what's really happening in our community. We discuss: — How common drug and alcohol use truly is — The rise of gambling addiction among teens — Why prevention MUST start earlier — What yeshivas still don't understand — Abuse, denial, and the cost of silence — The lifesaving impact of proper education — Real stories of families on the brink — and those who found healing — What parents need to know right now This conversation is honest. It's uncomfortable. But it's necessary. If you're a parent, educator, community member — or simply someone who cares — you need to hear this. For more information about Amudim: https://amudim.org/ Join December 7–8 the Unite to Heal 36-hours livestream: https://unitetoheal.com/ This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors: ►Blooms Kosher   Bring you the best Kosher products worldwide.   https://bloomskosher.com     ►Banana Blast Rentals   Bringing exciting entertainment for all your occasions. https://bananablasts.com https://wa.link/i4qlgh ► The Business Organizer The Business Organizer is a game-changing resource for entrepreneurs who have big vision but feel stuck hitting the same roadblocks. If you know what you want to achieve but feel overwhelmed, misaligned with your team, or like the business is running you—not the other way around—this is for you. If you're ready to regain control and scale with confidence, reach out for a free 15-minute consultation to see if Sruly is the right fit for your company's needs. Call or WhatsApp 347-939-9959 https://wa.link/5sxy1e Email [email protected] For testimonials from real entrepreneurs, visit SrulySchonfeld.com   ► Colel Chabad Pushka App - The easiest way to give Tzedaka    https://pushka.cc/meaningful    ►  Eishet Chayil Eishet Chayil — The Woman of Valor is a new book by Rabbi Yossi Marcus that brings King Solomon's classic poem to life through the stories of 24 remarkable Jewish women — from Sarah and Miriam to Esther and beyond. Drawing on millennia of Jewish scholarship, especially the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, the book celebrates women of faith, courage, and wisdom. Each verse is paired with contemporary artwork by Israeli artist Lia Baratz, making the book both educational and inspirational for readers of all ages. Dedicated to the women of Nahal Oz who were killed on October 7, 2023, it stands as a tribute to Jewish women of valor throughout history. Already in its second printing, Eishet Chayil is an ideal gift for Bat Mitzvahs, brides, wives, and mothers. Available at https://www.eishetchayil.com and https://store.kehotonline.com/mobile/ Use code MM20 for 20% off when checking out on Kehot.com.   ► Lalechet     We're a team of kosher travel experts, here to carry you off to your dream destination swiftly, safely, and seamlessly in an experience you will forever cherish.    https://www.lalechet.com   ►Rothenberg Law Firm   Personal Injury Law Firm For 50+ years!   Reach out Today for Free Case Evaluation   https://shorturl.at/JFKHH ► Town Appliance - Visit the website or message them on WhatsApp     https://www.townappliance.com   https://bit.ly/Townappliance whatsapp    ► Nafshi    A musical evening with Shulem Lemmer, Benny Friedman, Joey Newcomb, Yehuda Green and Eli Marcus: This is Nafshi! 7th of December at Kings Theater! https://colelchabad.events/mm

In this deeply emotional and honest conversation, Rabbi Yoni Fischer opens up about his journey, the vision behind his yeshiva, and the importance of meeting people with compassion, not judgment. From navigating generational pain to cultivating emotional health in the Torah world, Rabbi Fischer shares his thoughts on healing, marriage, parenting, community, and connection—with wisdom, warmth, and humility. ► Meaningful Minute Plus Meaningful Minute released its first-ever feature film: Homeless — a powerful story about exile, identity, and return. https://plus.meaningfulminute.org/   This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors: ►Blooms Kosher   Bring you the best Kosher products worldwide.   https://bloomskosher.com   ► Colel Chabad Pushka App - The easiest way to give Tzedaka   https://pushka.cc/meaningful      ► Magen Fund Adopt an IDF soldier for $180 and support our chayalim with essential daily and spiritual items.   https://israelmagenfund.org/kits/     ► Lalechet    We're a team of kosher travel experts, here to carry you off to your dream destination swiftly, safely, and seamlessly in an experience you will forever cherish.   https://www.lalechet.com   ►Rothenberg Law Firm   Personal Injury Law Firm For 50+ years!   Reach out Today for Free Case Evaluation   https://shorturl.at/JFKHH   ► NRS Pay - Honest, clean credit card processing.   https://nrspay.com   ► Town Appliance - Visit the website or message them on WhatsApp     https://www.townappliance.com   ► Faith It Till You Make It Join Rabbi Ari Bensoussan’s course on Bitachon sponsored by Censible Marketing! Your guide to keeping your faith in today's complicated world! www.Meaningfulminute.org/censible   ► Subscribe to our Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.     https://apple.co/2WALuE2   https://spoti.fi/39bNGnO Or wherever Podcasts are available!   Editor: Sruly Saftlas